Goals Soccer Centres’ attempt to capitalise on the David Beckham effect in Los Angeles has cost the company £2 million, it emerged today.

The five-a-side soccer group said it had written down the value of its first United States venture, which cost it £4.7 million when it opened in 2010, by £2 million having overpaid to develop it.

“The company now has a more detailed understanding of the specific requirements in the US and if further centres are developed they will cost significantly less,” it said in a statement.

Goals hopes that US punters will be inspired by the former England captain’s five-year stint for LA Galaxy and flock to the centre to play “soccer”.

Overall, the company said the centre was trading well. Goals, which has 43 outlets in the UK, said group sales were up 6% last year and it will stop opening new centres until 2014 to pay down its £50 million bank debt.